PRASHANT RAI cinematographer

winter 2009

I am really hoping that this year-end some chill should set in. Though, Mumbai is never really ‘cold’. The last time I experienced some chill, which reminded me of North, was in 2001-2002 winters. Last year was terribly disappointing.

This season looks promising. I can feel the chill in air the moment sun goes down. So 31st December should be interesting. keeping my fingers crossed.

on the roll(ers).

open source video, online video platform, video solution

Striking the final 35mm print of R(EVOLUTION) at Gemini Labs, Chennai.

R(EVOLUTION) in Europe.

R(EVOLUTION) is still hot in in the European circuit. After an amazing audience response at Karlovy Vary and Prague in 2008, the film has now been invited to the competitive section of XIV International TV Festival bar at Montenegro. Later the film would travel East to be screened at Tbilisi 10th International Film Festival, Georgia where it will be screened in the HORIZONS section.

Links -

Montenegro - www.tvfestbar.com

Georgia - www.tbilisifilmfestival.ge

PREVIOUS festivals

“R(evolution)” was presented as a ‘World Premiere’ at the 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Czech Republic), 4-12 July, 2008. It was officially selected and screened in the competitive section “Forum of Independents.” This is a Grade ‘A’ film festival, at the level of distinction of film festivals such as Cannes and Berlin. Festival website: www.kviff.com

“R(evolution)” was also officially selected and screened in the section “Indian Vista” at the 7th Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai, India, October16-23, 2008.
Festival website: www.affmumbai.com

’11 Weeks’ at deluxe labs L.A.

With less than 2 days to go for sound mixing at SKYWALKER sounds, the news trickling in is that deluxe labs of US have cordially agreed to do the digital Intermediate of the film 11 Weeks at their premier digital lab facility EFILM and strike a 35mm print subsequently.

Some of the films done in the recent past by deluxe and EFILM are -

‘Inglorious Basterds’ by Quentin Tarantino, ‘Revolutionary Road’ by Sam Mendes, ‘Angels and Demons’ by Ron Howard, ‘Milk‘ by Gus Van Sant, ‘IronMan‘ by Jon Favreau, and ‘Juno‘ by Jason Reitman.

http://www.efilm.com/filmography.php?pageID=1 (more info on EFILM’s filmography)

Dude, Where’s my car?

12 March 2006. I was fed up with the cold in Prague, dipping as low as minus 19 degree on one occassion. With the ides of March around corner and living on high latitudes I was expecting Spring season to usher in full strength of colours and style. Instead I saw more snow fall. Two days of continuous snowfall covered everything – the roads, pavements, parks, rivers, and buildings in a cloak of white. It was beautiful because it was a novel sight for me but the moment my concentration strayed leaving my thoughts alone – i felt depressed. That’s not a w orry though because Prague has pleanty of things to cheer you up.

So, I was walking to the metro station and I saw all the cars completely wrapped in snow. I was wondering how do they recongnize their car. It might take you an hour to dig your car out of the snow and then you find it’s not y0urs! Man how’s that for starting your day with.

Oto Klempir

We used to drink in the same bar but I didn’t know who he was. I was drinking with Adrian and was well past midnight when the bald man in black trench coat with strong imposing eyes entered. Adrian introduced Oto as a vocalist from J.A.R., a very popular band in Europe. May be it didn’t mean much to me. What registered in my mind was the warmth with which he made friends with me and was easy to converse with. We all drank to good friendship.

Fast Forward to May 2006. I received an SMS from Oto about rock show where he would be performing. He had gotten a special VIP pass for me. So we met early at Bala Bar, had few shots, hailed a cab, and reached the venue. I had never been to a rock show in Europe so it was a shock to see a humungous crowd. We went to the VIP enclosure.

We sat down and were having beer when Oto introduced me to other members of his band Dan, Roman, and Michael. J.A.R. was supposed to perform the closing numbers so we had enough time. Oto took me out to see how it feels to be in the crowd. It was a festive mood and fans were enjoying beer amidst loud music. We were standing at the far end from the stage where the crowd was slightly thinner when a lady dressed in emerald green gown flanked by four body guards in black tuxedos passed by.

‘Who is she?’ I asked while still gawking.

You don’t know? Oto was surprised. I just shook my head. He began to smile.

‘Eva Green’

‘Eva Who…?

‘The actress from Casino Royale’ Oto remarked.

‘Oh!’ before I could give any excuse for not able to recognize a Hollywood star from Kingdom of Heaven, Oto burst out laughing at me. I decided to go slow on beer. We moved back stage when we realized the fans had noticed Oto’s presence in the crowd.

Half an hour before midnight, J.A.R. got on the stage. Oto arranged for me to stand right in front of the stage before the barricade. It was exciting. The real exhilaration began when the band started. The 8,000 strong crowd was going out of control. I would not be exaggerating if I say they were going berserk. When the band announced that superpero would be the last number for the evening the crowd breached the barricade at many places. They wanted the band to continue all night long. I had my sympathies with the cops who were trying their best in terms of crowd control.

After the show was over it took almost an hour for Oto obliging his diehard fans with autographs and requests for snapshots. I felt this would be unending. An alternate plan for me was to go and crash in one of the V.I.P. tents till Oto is through with his fans. You just don’t need talent but abundant energy too to be a popular icon.

On our way back, I was quiet because I was totally taken in by the events of the evening and the wonderful performance of Oto and JAR. Oto asked me if I liked the show. I nodded first and after a pause I blurted out

‘You are a fucking rock star, Oto!’

He just smiled and kept looking straight. He gave some instructions in Czech to the cab driver then looked at me

‘Let’s have some more beer at Bala Bar’ he said firmly. There was no way I could have said no. It is a rock star’s party.

Barrandov Studio 2006

A memorable trip to Barrandov studio in the winters organised by Michael Gahut, my cinematography instructor. A state of the art film production facility, Barrandov is Europe’s biggest studio lot. If you are filming here you don’t need to step out anywhere else.

Of all the facilities what fascinated me the most was the hygiene of the film processing lab. Thermo sensors reading to hundredth of decimal in the tanks to maintain the accuracy of processing.

Casino Royale was being filmed at Barrandov those days. The Block behind me was where they had erected sets for interior shots. Ki Nan, self, and Teddy had a great day.

The walk back to the nearest tram station was memorable. Unfortunately, I can’t produce those jokes and songs for fear of lawsuit -My Name is ……I am no electrician!

Kinan and Teddy must have got it. Cheers guys.

Mumbai Skyline

Premonsoon clouds float over the Mumbai Skyline.

The power of denial!

The power of denial

Professional photography meant access to a lot of equipments starting with good SLR to having your dark room; some even had their own processing machines. The desire to produce stunning images required not just craftsmanship or skills but access to logistics too which was limited to a handful. There were many whose creativity was limited or dependent on other technicians as to how they processed their stills or whether they could get their negatives pushed or pull for creative effects. I think the digital industry saw this gaping hole in the market which comprises mostly of amateur photographers and within a decade they changed the global photography market. Now with just one time investment for a good DSLR and software like Photoshop, you bypass everything else that came between a photographer and his image. No film stocks, no labs, no chemicals, no dark rooms, and no hassle of exercising economy of usage.

Though, I am still an avid fan of film based photography because nothing beats the photochemical look even though I have to spend on expensive stocks and digitisation of negatives. I don’t like to compromise, maybe. For many others, who are happy with digital, the credit goes to the digital revolution which grew from mass based photography support. One can never underplay the power of denial.

About the picture above – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=631856208&v=photos&viewas=631856208#/photo.php?pid=2296036&id=631856208

Sri Lanka’s war on terror.

If the world keeps quiet on Sri Lanka I will interpret it as giving a tacit nod that yes nations facing insurgency or domestic squabbles can follow this route. What do we do then? Roll tanks and use precision guided bombs and heavy artillery shells in the heart of Srinagar and Kohima?…

read more under WRITING-NON FICTION page.

PRASHANT RAI cinematographer

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